I didn’t want to say the wrong thing, but my silence seemed to have the opposite effect on Barbara. She bit her lip again and started to cry openly. Thankfully, Stanley was back with my snack. When he looked at his mother and saw her condition, he frowned.
“Mom, I hope you know I’m here for you,” he said as he went over to where she sat. He quickly gave her a hug.
“Me, too,” I chimed in. “Whatever you need, you can count on us.”
Barbara took a tissue out of her pocket and wiped away her tears. “I can’t believe I’m behaving like this,” she said. “Maybe I’m tired. It was a long drive here, and I had to get up very early.”
Stanley crouched down next to her. “Mom, what did Dad say when you told him you were leaving?”
Barbara scowled. “He didn’t say anything. He was still sleeping when I left.” She paused and gave Stanley a little smile. “But don’t worry. It’s not your concern.”
Before Stanley or I could respond, Barbara sat up very straight again. After a quick survey of the room, she looked at me. “Gloria, your decorations are so pretty. It’s nice to know Stanley married someone who cares about the holidays.”
“Thank you,” I said.
Barbara continued. “Stan Sr. can be oblivious to such things. I don’t know why I ever married him.”
Stanley stood up and took his mother’s hand. “Would you like to rest for a bit?” he asked. “We have a spare bedroom you could use.”
Barbara’s face suddenly looked very weary as she stood up. “Maybe that’s a good idea, but don’t worry, I’m not here to burden you two. I’ll be on my way in just a little while.”
“Would you like me to call Dad and let him know where you are?” Stanley asked. “He might be worried.”
Barbara’s eyes went hard again, but her voice was a little softer than before. “If you think that’s best, call him, but don’t expect him to be grateful for that call. The man has no idea about anything. He’s probably glad I’m gone.”
Perhaps Stanley felt confused by her statement. Like me, hedidn’t comment. Instead, he accompanied his mom to the foyer and up the stairs to the spare bedroom.
I looked at my snack and pushed the plate away. I wasn’t hungry after hearing how unhappy Barbara Bickerman was. However, I don’t think Stanley’s father can be all bad, not with a son as good and true as my Stanley.
I got up and went to the kitchen. I wanted to get dinner started. Stanley was going to make meatloaf, mashed potatoes and a salad. If I got things going, his mom could have dinnerwith us when she got up. Hopefully, a good meal and some rest could buoy her spirit.
A few minutes later, Stanley joined me in the kitchen.
“Did you remember to call your dad?” I asked in a whisper.
Stanley smiled. “Mom’s door is closed so you can talk in a normal tone of voice. And yes, I did call my father. The conversation was short. I told him Mom was here, but he didn’t have much to say about it. After that, he hung up.”
I stared back. “When I’ve been around your dad, he always seemed to enjoy expressing himself. I’m surprised he didn’t have more to say about your mom leaving.”
“I’m sure my dad is pretty mixed up right now. When Mom suddenly left, he was probably shocked by her actions.”
I thought about my own father as I poured some water in a pot and put it on a burner to boil. “My dad changed a lot after the divorce. It took a while for me to understand that.”
Stanley came over and gave me a hug. “No matter what, look at us. We’re happy. So we have to let our parents do what they have to do, right?”
I gave him a hopeful look, trying to lighten the mood. “I agree.”
After that, I went back to peeling potatoes, and Stanley made meatloaf. Both of us tackled a salad. Dinner was just about ready when I heard the fourth step on the foyer staircase let out its usual squeak. That little squeak meant Barbara was up and about. I looked at Stanley. “I hope your mom likes meatloaf.”
Stanley blinked back. “Uh, I forgot something.”
“What’s that?”
“Mom used to make a lot of meatloaf.”
“Great, so why are you making that face?”
“The reason she made it so often is because it’s Dad’s favorite.”
